| It is often the case that hardwood floors look better | | | | should take care that you fill them with wood fillers, |
| painted than laminate flooring would look in the place. | | | | which can easily be found in home improvement |
| Many even prefer the look of painted hardwood | | | | retailers. |
| even to tile flooring that could be used in its stead. | | | | You should make sure a bare wood floor is primed |
| Painting a hardwood floor can bring new life to a | | | | before you begin painting. Priming sealers do wonders |
| highly damaged hardwood floor lengthening the life of | | | | as far as hiding the grain of the wood so that it |
| your floor. One of the keys to pulling off this look | | | | doesn't show through once the paint is dry. If the |
| without a hitch is by using a thick paint that is brightly | | | | floor has been varnished or has a urethane finish you |
| colored enough to cover up the grain of the | | | | should sand it well before applying primer. It is a good |
| hardwood beneath. | | | | idea if you find yourself at a loss to ask for advice |
| Another secret to remember when painting | | | | from the staff of the store where you are buying |
| hardwood floors is to really slather on the urethane. | | | | supplies for suggestions about primers and paints for |
| Once your painted floor has dried, adding three or | | | | your hardwood floors. Most manufacturers have well |
| more coats of urethane will help your floors look | | | | prepared list of compatible paints and primers that |
| shiny and new much longer. The paint itself will do | | | | are available at the paint supply stores. |
| very little to keep your hardwood floor looking good | | | | Oil paints generally work best for painting floors. The |
| or extending the life of your floor, if you do not | | | | oils tend to bond to the surface of the floor much |
| cover your paint with urethane it will quickly lose all | | | | better than water-based paints. Oil paints also tend |
| of its sparkle and shine. Another benefit of the | | | | to dry much more quickly and harden faster which |
| urethane coating is that protects the floor from the | | | | will shorten the length of time you will need to spend |
| harmful effects of dirt, water, and other | | | | on your project. |
| contaminants. | | | | A final touch to your floor-painting project would be |
| As with all painted surfaces, you should be certain | | | | to add a faux finish or special design to your floor. |
| that the floor is free of dirt, dust, hair, and other | | | | Stencils make a great foundation for this particular |
| particles as well as clean and dry. If there are large | | | | type of project and make it very easy to achieve. |
| holes, dips, or dents in your hardwood floors you | | | | |